Cost of childcare calculator

How to use the calculator

This calculator estimates how much you might spend on childcare. It lets you explore using different arrangements which you can mix and match if you want to. For example, you might use a nursery two days a week but a childminder on the other days, or you choose an au pair to help with older children but a nursery for your baby. You can use the calculator in two ways: either enter figures you have collected for specific childcare arrangements; or get a rough idea by using the average figures built into the calculator.

The results depend on the answers you give. Only you will know this information – it is not passed onto anyone else.

Please answer the questions by choosing the correct response from the drop-down menu. The calculator will automatically work out the estimated costs of childcare you might have to pay. To change the information either change the drop-down menu or click the 'Reset' button. To store your information please click the 'Save' button – this will allow you to continue at a later date.

The calculator uses tax data for 2012/13 and the most up-to-date childcare cost data available in early 2012.

Childcare What would you like to do?

How many children need care?
Of these, how many are under age 2?
Where do you live?

Will you be using a nursery?

How much does the nursery charge per child?	£
Is this per hour, per day or per week?
How many children do you want to send to nursery?

How will you travel to the nursery
How many (extra) miles will you travel per day to and from the nursery?
How many days a week will you be using the nursery?
How much (extra) will it cost you per day to travel to and from the nursery?	£

Will you be using a childminder?

How much does the childminder charge per child?	£
Is this per hour, per day or per week?
How many children do you want to send to the childminder?

How will you travel to the childminder?
How many (extra) miles will you travel per day getting to and from the childminder?
How many days a week will you be using the childminder?
How much (extra) will it cost per day to travel to and from the childminder?	£

Will you be using a nanny?

Will this be a live-in nanny or a daily nanny?
How much does this nanny charge per week?	£
Is this the nanny's gross (before-tax) wage or net wage (i.e. take-home pay after taxes)? MORE >>
Unlike most other jobs, a nanny's wage is often quoted 'net', meaning the take-home pay after tax and National Insurance have been deducted. As well as paying the nanny's net wage, you also have to pay the tax and National Insurance. << CLOSE
Do you expect to use a payroll agency? MORE >>
As your nanny's employer, you must pay them through the PAYE system - see http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/newemployers/index.shtml. If you do not want to operate the PAYE system yourself, you can hire an agency to do it for you. << CLOSE

Will you be using an au pair?

How much will you pay the au pair each week?	£

What are the running costs for your car? (pence per mile)

Estimates of the childcare costs you might have to pay

	Estimated total weekly cost	Estimated weekly cost per child

Nursery
This is the average cost of a full-time nursery in your region based on a survey by the Daycare Trust. In addition, you need to consider the travelling costs of getting to and from your chosen nursery.

Childminder
This is the average cost of a full-time childminder in your region based on a survey by the Daycare Trust. In addition, you need to consider the travelling costs of getting to and from your chosen childminder. This is the average cost of a full-time childminder in your region based on a survey by the Northern Ireland Childminding Association. In addition, you need to consider the travelling costs of getting to and from your chosen childminder.

Live-in nanny
This is the average wage for a nanny based on a survey by Nannytax plus associated taxes that you must pay and the estimated cost of food and fuel your nanny might consume. We assume that you already have space in your home to provide a nanny with her own room. In addition, you might have the following costs: You will be your nanny's employer and ought to have employer's liability insurance, but check whether this is already included in any house contents insurance you have. There will be extra costs if you provide your nanny with extra benefits, eg use of a car, medical insurance, and so on. As your nanny's employer, you must pay them through the PAYE system - see www.hmrc.gov.uk/newemployers/index.shtml. If you do not want to operate the PAYE system yourself, you can hire an agency to do it for you - expect to pay about £280 a year for this service.

Daily nanny
This is the average wage for a nanny based on a survey by Nannytax plus associated taxes that you must pay and the estimated cost of food and fuel your nanny might consume. We assume that you already have space in your home to provide a nanny with her own room. In addition, you might have the following costs: You will be your nanny's employer and ought to have employer's liability insurance, but check whether this is already included in any house contents insurance you have. There will be extra costs if you provide your nanny with extra benefits, eg use of a car, medical insurance, and so on. As your nanny's employer, you must pay them through the PAYE system - see www.hmrc.gov.uk/newemployers/index.shtml. If you do not want to operate the PAYE system yourself, you can hire an agency to do it for you - expect to pay about £280 a year for this service.

Au pair
This is the average recommended pocket money you pay an au pair plus the estimated cost of food and fuel that he/she might consume. We assume that you already have space in your home to provide an au pair with his/her own room. Unlike the other options, you cannot expect an au pair to provide full-time childcare. An au pair should normally provide help in your home for up to five hours a day with at least two full days off a week.

Estimated weekly cost of these childcare arrangements


Nursery fees
Car travel to nursery
Travel to nursery
Childminder fees
Car travel to childminder
Travel to childminder
Nanny gross salary
Employer's National Insurance MORE >>
As your nanny's employer, you must pay employer's National Insurance. << CLOSE
Estimated cost of meals and fuel for nanny MORE >>
We assume that you already have space in your home to provide a nanny with her own room. << CLOSE
Estimated cost of lunches daily for nanny
Cost of payroll agency
Au pair's pocket money
Estimated cost of meals and fuel for au pair MORE >>
We assume that you already have space in your home to provide an au pair with her own room. << CLOSE
Total cost per week
When employing a nanny, in addition, you might have the following costs: You will be your nanny's employer and ought to have employer's liability insurance, but check whether this is already included in any house contents insurance you have. There will be extra costs if you provide your nanny with extra benefits, eg use of a car, medical insurance, and so on.

Estimated weekly cost of alternative childcare arrangements that you previously saved


Nursery fees
Car travel to nursery
Travel to nursery
Childminder fees
Car travel to childminder
Travel to childminder
Nanny gross salary
Employer's National Insurance
Estimated cost of meals and fuel for nanny
Estimated cost of lunches daily for nanny
Cost of payroll agency
Au pair's pocket money
Estimated cost of meals and fuel for au pair
Total cost per week

Please note that figures are rounded to the nearest pound.